Effectiveness of A Nurse-Led Multimodal Intervention in Preventing Blood Culture Contamination: A Before-and-After Study.

Blood culture is crucial for accurate and timely bacteremia diagnosis and guide antibiotic therapy. However, during culture sampling, contamination can occur, resulting in misdiagnosis, unnecessary antibiotic exposure, and prolonged hospitalization. This before-and-after intervention study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention in preventing blood culture contamination. The study was conducted in a 170-bed hospital in Portugal and included a total of 23,566 blood cultures. Contamination rates were assessed in two phases: Phase 1 (before intervention, month 0) included 10,928 cultures, and Phase 2 (after intervention, month 6) included 12,638 cultures. During the study period, a multimodal intervention targeting the nursing staff was implemented, consisting of training actions, guideline updates, regular data monitoring and feedback, and introduction of a blood culture pack. Following the intervention, blood culture contamination decreased from 6.8% (Phase 1) to 3.9% (Phase 2). A comparative analysis revealed that the risk of contamination before the intervention was nearly four times higher in first culture, OR = 3.97 (CI 2.86-5.49). Our findings suggest that the multimodal intervention enhanced nurses' adherence to recommended practices, resulting in a reduced risk of blood culture contamination, earlier identification of infectious agents, and improved accuracy of antibiotic therapy.

Nurses' Adherence to the Portuguese Standard to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs): An Observational Study.

Urinary tract infections are among the most prevalent types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals and nursing homes, and they are primarily a result of unnecessary catheter usage and inadequate care. In Portugal, epidemiological data indicate that catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain widespread in clinical settings, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates among vulnerable populations. This study aimed to assess urinary catheter use in an oncology ward in Portugal and to evaluate nurses' adherence to the government-endorsed standards for preventing CAUTIs. An observational study was conducted over a four-month period with daily assessments of nurses' practices during urinary catheter insertion and maintenance using a government-endorsed auditing tool. Data were collected through on-site observations and nurses' feedback. The findings revealed a urinary catheter utilization rate of 17.99%. However, there was a lack of complete adherence to government-endorsed standards among oncology nurses (0%). These results indicate that current practices lack evidence-based standardization. Therefore, there is a need to develop and implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and experiences.

Older person's experience of PT4Ageing-A programme on self-management «support¼ in chronic illness.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe the experience of a group of older adults who participated in a chronic illness self-management program. METHODS: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Participants were eight elders and data collected using semi-structured interviews Data was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Tips to improve our daily lives, (2) I was always motivated, (3) Sharing and mutual help, (4) They made us believe we were capable (5). It would be great if it did not end here. Globally, the participants of the program described their experience as very positive. They identified gains from participating in the program, such as learning strategies to help them cope with their health problems, improving their ability to manage their illnesses more autonomously and building social support, that even persisted after the conclusion of the intervention. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide insight into how older adults experience a program for the self-management of chronic illness. For the development of future programs, support building must be considered. Older adults who participate in self-management programmes exhibit improved self-efficacy in relation to the management their chronic illnesses and greater autonomy in self-care.

Adaptation and validation of the Instrumental Expressive Social Support Scale in Portuguese older individuals.

OBJECTIVE: to adapt and validate the Instrumental Expressive Social Support Scale (IESS) in a sample of older people. METHOD: methodological study. The sample of 964 community-dwelling older people was randomly divided into two groups. The first group was used as a calibration sample to study the number of factors underlying social support through Principal Axis Factoring, and the second group as a validation sample to test the "best fit" model through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. RESULTS: exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a three-factor solution, which was confirmed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The factors were similar to those in the pre-existing dimensions of the original instrument and were named as Sense of control (α = 0.900), Financial support (α = 0.802), Familiar and socio-affective support (α = 0.778). Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed acceptable fit. The model's goodness-of-fit indexes were satisfactory (χ2/df = 5.418; CFI = 0.903; NFI = 0.884; RMSEA = 0.098). The convergent validity was supported by associations between social support and medication adherence and positive affect. The discriminant validity was evidenced by association with negative affect. The reliability analysis showed high values of internal consistency. CONCLUSION: the instrument proved to be a valid measure for the assessment of social support in older people.

Necessidades dos idosos na autogestão da doença crônica: perspectivando um programa de intervenção de enfermagem / Necesidades de los ancianos en el automanejo de la enfermedad crónica: diseño de un programa de intervención de enfermería / The elderly needs in self-management of chronic disease: envisioning a nursing intervention programme

RESUMO Objetivo caracterizar o perfil de saúde de idosos da comunidade e identificar os domínios do processo de autogestão da doença para intervenções de enfermagem Método estudo misto, integrando 48 participantes de Porto, Portugal entre setembro/2018 e julho/2019. Foi utilizado um formulário para avaliação de doenças e variáveis relacionadas com a saúde, e uma entrevista semiestruturada centrada na autogestão da doença crônica. Os dados qualitativos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática Resultados 93,7% dos participantes apresentam comorbidades, destacando-se as doenças cardiovasculares e endócrinas. Das entrevistas, emergiram três temas: Domínio na gestão de medicamentos; Dificuldade de se comportar sempre de forma saudável; Importância de uma relação estreita e de confiança com os profissionais de saúde Conclusão evidenciaram-se as necessidades de autogestão das pessoas idosas que podem ser minimizadas com intervenções dos enfermeiros, destacando as áreas a intervir e estratégias a utilizar nos programas dirigidos à promoção da saúde

RESUMEN Objetivo caracterizar el perfil de salud de las personas mayores en la comunidad e identificar los dominios del proceso de automanejo de la enfermedad para las intervenciones de enfermería Método estudio mixto, que integró 48 participantes de Oporto, Portugal, entre septiembre de 2018 y julio de 2019. Se utilizó un formulario para evaluar enfermedades y variables relacionadas con la salud, y una entrevista semiestructurada centrada en el automanejo de la enfermedad crónica. Los datos cualitativos se sometieron al análisis de contenido temático Resultados El 93,7% de los participantes presentan comorbilidades, especialmente enfermedades cardiovasculares y endocrinas. De las entrevistas surgieron tres temas: Dominio de la gestión de medicamentos; Dificultad para comportarse siempre de forma saludable; Importancia de una relación cercana y de confianza con los profesionales de la salud Conclusión se evidenciaron las necesidades de autogestión de los ancianos, las cuales pueden ser minimizadas con intervenciones de enfermeras, destacando las áreas a intervenir y las estrategias a utilizar en programas orientados a promover su alfabetización en salud

ABSTRACT Objective To characterise the health profile of community-dwelling older people and identify the domains of the disease self-management process for nursing interventions Method Mixed-method study, with 48 participants from Porto, Portugal, between September 2018 and July 2019. A questionnaire was used to assess disease and health-related variables, and a semi-structured interview was also undertaken focused on chronic disease self-management. Qualitative data were submitted to thematic content analysis Results 93.7% of participants present comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. Three themes emerged from the interviews: Mastery in the management of medications; Difficulty in adopting a stable, healthy behaviour; Importance of a close and trusting relationship with health professionals Conclusion The self-management needs of older people that can be diminished through nursing interventions were highlighted, emphasising areas to be intervened and strategies to be used in programmes aimed at promoting the health literacy of this population

Avaliação das propriedades psicométricas do Questionário de Autorregulação para o tratamento medicamentoso na doença crónica / Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire for chronic diseases / Evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Autorregulación para el tratamiento con medicamentos en enfermedades crónicas

Enquadramento: A promoção da gestão do regime terapêutico em pessoas com doença crónica, requer medidas fiáveis e válidas, para avaliação da motivação para o tratamento. Objetivo: Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do Questionário de Autorregulação (QAR) para o tratamento medicamentoso, numa amostra de pessoas com doença crónica. Metodologia: Estudo metodológico, com recurso à análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC). Participaram 189 pessoas com doença crónica. Resultados: A solução trifatorial do QAR não mostrou bom ajustamento ao modelo, pelo que é proposta uma solução de quatro fatores. A AFC mostrou um ajuste muito satisfatório nos índices de adequação do modelo. A validade convergente foi confirmada por associações entre a motivação autónoma, competência percebida e perceção de um ambiente terapêutico promotor da autonomia, e com a adesão aos medicamentos. A análise de confiabilidade mostrou valores de consistência interna que variam entre 0,56 e 0,90. Conclusão: O instrumento demonstra ser uma medida fiável e válida para a avaliação da autorregulação ao tratamento medicamentoso em pessoas com doença crónica.

Background: The promotion of the management of the therapeutic regimen in people with chronic disease implies reliable and valid measures to assess motivation for treatment. Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) of the medication treatment in a sample of people with chronic disease. Methodology: A methodological study was conducted using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The sample was comprised of 189 people with chronic disease. Results: A three-factor solution of the SRQ showed poor fit to the model, thus a four-factor solution was suggested. The convergent validity was confirmed by associations between autonomous motivation, perceived competence and perception of a therapeutic environment that promotes autonomy, and adherence to medication. The reliability analysis showed satisfactory internal consistency values ranging between 0.56 and 0.90. Conclusion: The instrument shows good reliability and validity to assess self-regulation of the treatment regimen in people with chronic disease.

Marco contextual: La promoción de la gestión del régimen terapéutico en personas con enfermedad crónica requiere de medidas fiables y válidas para evaluar la motivación hacia el tratamiento. Objetivo: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa del Cuestionario de Autorregulación (Questionário de Autorregulação - QAR) para el tratamiento con medicamentos en una muestra de personas con enfermedad crónica. Metodología: Estudio metodológico, en el que se recurrió al análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). Participaron un total de 189 personas con enfermedad crónica. Resultados: La solución trifactorial de QAR no mostró un buen ajuste al modelo, por lo que se propone una solución de cuatro factores. El AFC mostró un ajuste muy satisfactorio en los índices de adecuación del modelo. La validez convergente se confirmó por asociaciones entre la motivación autónoma, la competencia percibida y la percepción de un ambiente terapéutico que promueve la autonomía, y con la adhesión a los medicamentos. El análisis de fiabilidad mostró valores de consistencia interna que oscilan entre 0,56 y 0,90. Conclusión: El instrumento demuestra que es una medida fiable y válida para la evaluación de la autorregulación al tratamiento con medicamentos en personas con enfermedad crónica.

Gestão do regime farmacológico em doentes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica / Management of the pharmacological treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Gestión del régimen farmacológico en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Enquadramento: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica (DPOC) é uma doença crónica e incapacitante, cujo regime terapêutico inclui medicação por via inalatória. A evidência revela uma baixa adesão terapêutica, o que pode potenciar o agravamento da doença. Objetivos: Estudar a adesão e a competência percebida das pessoas para cumprirem o regime de tratamento da DPOC e avaliar o seu conhecimento sobre o uso de inaladores. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo e transversal. Participaram 45 pessoas com DPOC. Utilizou-se a Escala de Adesão aos Medicamentos, a Escala de Competência Percebida e um questionário sobre o uso de inaladores. Resultados: Os participantes relataram uma boa adesão ao regime medicamentoso e reportaram um elevado grau de perceção de competência para manter o regime de tratamento da DPOC. No entanto, revelaram poucos conhecimentos sobre o uso dos inaladores e a técnica inalatória, o que compromete a eficácia dos planos terapêuticos instituídos e potenciam o agravamento da condição clínica. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que sejam desenvolvidos cuidados de enfermagem centrados nos conhecimentos e no treino da técnica inalatória.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic and incapacitating disease, whose regimen includes inhalation medication. The evidence shows a low adherence, which may increase the aggravation of the disease. Objectives: To study the adherence and the perceived competence of people to comply with the treatment regimen of COPD and evaluate their knowledge on the use of inhalers. Methodology: Quantitative and cross-sectional study, whose participants were 45 people with COPD. We used the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), the Perceived Competence Scale (PCS), and a questionnaire on the use of inhalers. Results: Participants reported good adherence to the medication regimen and reported a high degree of perception of competence to maintain the treatment regimen of COPD. However, they manifested little knowledge about the use of inhalers and the inhalation technique, which compromises the effectiveness of the established therapeutic plans and exacerbate the deterioration of the clinical condition. Conclusion: This study suggests that nursing care should be developed with a focus on knowledge and training in the inhalation technique.

Marco contextual: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es una enfermedad crónica e incapacitante cuyo régimen terapéutico incluye medicación por vía inhalatoria. La evidencia muestra una baja adhesión terapéutica, lo que puede potenciar el empeoramiento de la enfermedad. Objetivos: Estudiar la adhesión y la competencia percibida de las personas para que cumplan el régimen de tratamiento de la EPOC y evaluar su conocimiento sobre el uso de inhaladores. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo y transversal en el que participaron 45 personas con EPOC. Se utilizó la Escala de Adhesión a los Medicamentos, la Escala de Competencia Percibida y un cuestionario sobre el uso de inhaladores. Resultados: Los participantes indicaron una buena adhesión al régimen de medicamentos y un elevado grado de percepción de la competencia para mantener el régimen de tratamiento de la EPOC. Sin embargo, mostraron pocos conocimientos sobre el uso de inhaladores y la técnica inhalatoria, lo que compromete la eficacia de los planes terapéuticos instituidos y potencia el empeoramiento del estado clínico. Conclusión: Este estudio sugiere que se desarrollen cuidados de enfermería centrados en los conocimientos y en el entrenamiento de la técnica inhalatoria.

Adaptation and validation of the Instrumental Expressive Social Support Scale in Portuguese older individuals / Adaptação e validação da Escala de Suporte Social Instrumental e Expressivo em idosos portugueses / Adaptación y validación de la Escala de Apoyo Social Instrumental y Expresivo en adultos mayores portugueses

Objective to adapt and validate the Instrumental Expressive Social Support Scale (IESS) in a sample of older people. Method methodological study. The sample of 964 community-dwelling older people was randomly divided into two groups. The first group was used as a calibration sample to study the number of factors underlying social support through Principal Axis Factoring, and the second group as a validation sample to test the "best fit" model through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a three-factor solution, which was confirmed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The factors were similar to those in the pre-existing dimensions of the original instrument and were named as Sense of control (α = 0.900), Financial support (α = 0.802), Familiar and socio-affective support (α = 0.778). Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed acceptable fit. The model's goodness-of-fit indexes were satisfactory (χ2/df = 5.418; CFI = 0.903; NFI = 0.884; RMSEA = 0.098). The convergent validity was supported by associations between social support and medication adherence and positive affect. The discriminant validity was evidenced by association with negative affect. The reliability analysis showed high values of internal consistency. Conclusion the instrument proved to be a valid measure for the assessment of social support in older people.

Objetivo adaptar e validar a Escala de Suporte Social Instrumental e Expressivo (IESS) em uma amostra de idosos. Método estudo metodológico. A amostra de 964 idosos residentes em comunidade foi dividida aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O primeiro grupo foi utilizado como amostra de calibração para estudar o número de fatores subjacentes ao suporte social, pelo Método dos Eixos Principais, e o segundo grupo como amostra de validação para testar o modelo de "melhor ajuste", por meio da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. Resultados a Análise Fatorial Exploratória indicou uma solução de três fatores, que foi confirmada pela Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. Os fatores foram semelhantes aos das dimensões preexistentes do instrumento original e foram denominados Sensação de controle (α = 0,900), Suporte financeiro (α = 0,802), Suporte Familiar e socioafetivo (α = 0,778). A Análise Fatorial Confirmatória mostrou um ajuste aceitável. Os índices de adequação do modelo foram satisfatórios (χ2/gl = 5,418; CFI = 0,903; NFI = 0,884; RMSEA = 0,098). A validade convergente foi confirmada por associações entre o suporte social e a adesão à medicação e o afeto positivo. A validação discriminante foi evidenciada por associação com o afeto negativo. A análise de confiabilidade mostrou valores de consistência interna elevados. Conclusão o instrumento provou ser uma medida válida para a avaliação do suporte social em idosos.

Objetivo adaptar y validar la Escala de Apoyo Social Instrumental y Expresivo (IESS) en una muestra de adultos mayores. Método estudio metodológico. La muestra de 964 adultos mayores residentes en comunidad se dividió de manera aleatoria en dos grupos. El primer grupo se utilizó como una muestra de calibración para estudiar el número de factores subyacentes al apoyo social, mediante el Método de los Ejes Principales, y el segundo grupo como muestra de validación para probar el modelo de "mejor ajuste", mediante el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Resultados el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio indicó una solución de tres factores, que se confirmó por el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Los factores fueron similares a los de las dimensiones preexistentes del instrumento original y fueron nombrados Sensación de control (α = 0,900), Apoyo financiero (α = 0,802), Apoyo Familiar y socio-afectivo (α = 0,778). El Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio mostró un ajuste aceptable. Los índices de bondad de ajuste del modelo fueron satisfactorios (χ2/gl = 5,418; CFI = 0,903; NFI = 0,884; RMSEA = 0,098). La validez convergente fue confirmada por asociaciones entre el apoyo social y la adherencia a la medicación y el afecto positivo. La validez discriminante se evidenció por asociación con el afecto negativo. El análisis de confiabilidad mostró valores de consistencia interna elevados. Conclusión el instrumento probó ser una medida válida para la evaluación del apoyo social en adultos mayores.